Staff dilemma

[Headless chicken]

It’s not occurred yet but trying to have some foresight.

We have a lad who milks for us whose parent also works for us. He’s reliable and does the job. Has no interest in making it a career and is just a stop gap. Has a limited social life which means he’s quite flexible.

We’ve recently taken on an apprentice who is growing in confidence massively and I would probably like to be in the position to offer them a full time role.

This leaves me with a dilemma as to go about this. To me it’s morally wrong to let person a go but with the same breath I don’t want to loose the shot at gaining a long term asset.

what would others approach be?

 

[bobk]

It’s not occurred yet but trying to have some foresight.

We have a lad who milks for us whose parent also works for us. He’s reliable and does the job. Has no interest in making it a career and is just a stop gap. Has a limited social life which means he’s quite flexible.

We’ve recently taken on an apprentice who is growing in confidence massively and I would probably like to be in the position to offer them a full time role.

This leaves me with a dilemma as to go about this. To me it’s morally wrong to let person a go but with the same breath I don’t want to loose the shot at gaining a long term asset.

what would others approach be?

They'll probably both go , milking cows for a living isn't a life ambition
I did it because I had to , or did I

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Always prioritize potential in an employee, assuming all other performance ares are met.

Flip side is you cut out your part timer and the apprentice leaves, makes you feel smart.

I would talk to your part timer, be straightforward about what you are doing. He could maybe milk elsewhere, perhaps call some neighbors and recommend him, help him out. Leave it on good terms and maybe he could come back in the future.

 

[Clive]

It’s not occurred yet but trying to have some foresight.

We have a lad who milks for us whose parent also works for us. He’s reliable and does the job. Has no interest in making it a career and is just a stop gap. Has a limited social life which means he’s quite flexible.

We’ve recently taken on an apprentice who is growing in confidence massively and I would probably like to be in the position to offer them a full time role.

This leaves me with a dilemma as to go about this. To me it’s morally wrong to let person a go but with the same breath I don’t want to loose the shot at gaining a long term asset.

what would others approach be?

be careful as you can get in trouble making someone redundant without good reason if you replace them with someone else doing the same role

 

[bobk]

be careful as you can get in trouble making someone redundant without good reason if you replace them with someone else doing the same role

Wait until the budget , job applicants will be suing you

 

[DairyNerd]

Always prioritize potential in an employee, assuming all other performance ares are met.

Flip side is you cut out your part timer and the apprentice leaves, makes you feel smart.

I would talk to your part timer, be straightforward about what you are doing. He could maybe milk elsewhere, perhaps call some neighbors and recommend him, help him out. Leave it on good terms and maybe he could come back in the future.

This is great advice. I would also add: would it be out of the question to be overstaffed while your apprentice comes on full time, take advantage of it, your part timer will probably leave soon-ish anyway if its a stop gap, be open with him that he could do the next 6 months if he wants it then that will have to be it.

 

[Headless chicken]

be careful as you can get in trouble making someone redundant without good reason if you replace them with someone else doing the same role

I should’ve said. Self employed, apprentice is paye

 

[frederick]

It’s not occurred yet but trying to have some foresight.

We have a lad who milks for us whose parent also works for us. He’s reliable and does the job. Has no interest in making it a career and is just a stop gap. Has a limited social life which means he’s quite flexible.

We’ve recently taken on an apprentice who is growing in confidence massively and I would probably like to be in the position to offer them a full time role.

This leaves me with a dilemma as to go about this. To me it’s morally wrong to let person a go but with the same breath I don’t want to loose the shot at gaining a long term asset.

what would others approach be?

How many hours is the first chap doing a week for you.

 

[Headless chicken]

How many hours is the first chap doing a week for you.

He just milks. Mostly tues-Friday pm

 

[pappuller]

He just milks. Mostly tues-Friday pm

Can you not accommodate both ? Not like good staff are falling into people's laps in our job

 

[frederick]

I think I would do all I can to try to avoid burning bridges.
By this just to simply loose one day from one to give to another. Presume you must be employing both of them at the moment so it's more a case of trying to swap responsibility.
Also perhaps try to loose time from other staff members as well to make their lives easier.

 

[Headless chicken]

Can you not accommodate both ? Not like good staff are falling into people's laps in our job

that’s what I was wondering too. The only way we could manage that is with significant up skilling and bring foot trimming and maybe ai back in house.

We’ve spent a long time developing a system that doesn’t require too many people here and sometimes it’s a job to juggle them

 

[Headless chicken]

I think I would do all I can to try to avoid burning bridges.
By this just to simply loose one day from one to give to another. Presume you must be employing both of them at the moment so it's more a case of trying to swap responsibility.
Also perhaps try to loose time from other staff members as well to make their lives easier.

Agreed. I don’t want to burn any bridges hence trying to address this earlier rather than later

 

[bobk]

that’s what I was wondering too. The only way we could manage that is with significant up skilling and bring foot trimming and maybe ai back in house.

We’ve spent a long time developing a system that doesn’t require too many people here and sometimes it’s a job to juggle them

My neighbour has a reputation for flogging his staff
Now installing robots , doubt they'll like it much

 

[Headless chicken]

My neighbour has a reputation for flogging his staff
Now installing robots , doubt they'll like it much

To be clear, we have excellent staff retention and currently have a list of people looking to join. We’ve developed a system that doesn’t require people running round like idiots and some sensible flexibility within. I’ve worked 100 hour weeks where lunch was at a set time. If you started a job that ran into lunch you were expect to just have less lunch but you better look dammed busy until it was meant to be lunchtime.
If i only had one aspiration it is to not be anything like that.

Outside of calving it’s possible as one man but rather sh!t. A happy and retained team are vital for our long term outlook. We have a sizeable commitment for the next 13 years and I don’t wish to spent all of that tired and miserable because I’m an arsehole to work for.

 

[Beef farmer]

To be clear, we have excellent staff retention and currently have a list of people looking to join. We’ve developed a system that doesn’t require people running round like idiots and some sensible flexibility within. I’ve worked 100 hour weeks where lunch was at a set time. If you started a job that ran into lunch you were expect to just have less lunch but you better look dammed busy until it was meant to be lunchtime.
If i only had one aspiration it is to not be anything like that.

Outside of calving it’s possible as one man but rather sh!t. A happy and retained team are vital for our long term outlook. We have a sizeable commitment for the next 13 years and I don’t wish to spent all of that tired and miserable because I’m an arsehole to work for.

Then keep both people on and relax and enjoy it.
Bigger threat to most business is lack of staff than too many

 

[Ducati899]

If he leaves just promote one from the waiting list

 

[GEMS]

Are both staff good workers ??
Then keep both somehow... It's only when you have none/can't get that you will appreciate them.....

 

[Jasper]

I always read your posts and you come across as a very likeable chap who would be a pleasure to work for I can’t really offer any advice on your dilemma but I’m sure whatever you do will be fair to all parties

 

[tepapa]

Now we're heading into winter and the winter routine. Will that change the work requirements, can you drop the part timer a day a week with the change in work load. Self employed people don't expect consistent work, work varies with the season.